This number keeps calling every day. Never leaves a message and I do not pick up. STOP!

I posted his # on Craigslist under M4M section. This should keep him busy.

I received the identical call from a Thomas Harrington out of Long Beach California. He had a warrant for my arrest, would speak to the DA for me since I had never been arrested before. He returned to the phone to ask if I had ever been in drug treatment which of course I replied "no." Again, I did purchase diet pills and a vitamin from an online pharmacy. So, initially I thought I had broken a law. It was then that he mentioned the $2,500.00 I would need to pay. There were 18 officers within 10 minutes of my home, etc. Once I said I had no access to that amount of money, it became 1,650.00, then 500.00. I reported it to my local police department.

  I ALSO RECEIVED A CALL FROM MR.THOMAS. I WAS TERRIFED AND JUST ATTENTED MY BELOVED MOTHER''S MEMORIAM SERVICE. HE TOLD ME HE HAD A SEARCH WARRANT AND WARRANT FOR MY ARREST. I WAITED ALL DAY] FINALLY FOUND THIS INFO. THANK YOU THE DEA MUST FIND HIM .
   I HAD RECENTLY WENT TO THE DENTIST; WAS GIVE A PRESCRIPTION FOR THE SAME MEDICATION I ALREADY HAD. I NEVER KNEW LORACETT WAS THE SAME AS LORATAB. AFTER THAT CALL I HAVE THE LORACETT TO SHOW WHEN THEY COME TO ARREST ME FOR DOCTOR SHOPPING. DON'T EVEN LIKE THE MED.'S. I WILL ADMIT IT DID SCARE ME...THEN THAT SAME DAY A MAN FROM DEA OF GALVESTON TEXAS CALLED LEFT MESSAGE TO CALL ASAP. ALL I'VE EVER BEEN ABLE TO GET IS HIS VOICE MAIL. HIS CALL IS SO IMPORTANT CALL ASAP WORDED] THEY MUST WORK TOGHETHER.HIS NAME IS HARRY JAY WITH THE SAME ACCENT......DEA NEEDS TO FIND THESE SCAMMERS....IF ANYONE EVER GET'S INFO PLS. POST IT'' THANKS

I got the same call from "Thomas Harrington, offcier with the DEA". The number he told me to call back on was 909.810.2161, ext. 2884, but the number he called from (showed up on my cell phone) was 760.621.4702.  Thanks to posts from all of you I didnt bother to call him back. Haven't decided whether to call the real DEA to report it or not.

Just got the same call, same name, same number. He referred to a supposed purchase from 6 years ago which I have no recall of making. Well, I played along but didn't let him finish and then I tore into him. I told him to come on, I had something special waiting for him.  I  then told him that I was reporting him and his phone number immediately to the, FDA,  DEA and Homeland Security. He hung-up immediately. I wasn't finished so I called back and got a recording but he wouldn't answer.

This bozo did the same to me.  So, I asked him to provide me with the "main" number...so, he gives me 714-409-3989.  Same scam!  One number is registered to Bay area, the other is anaheim area.  Same BS speech...Same harrassment...but after reading these?  I'm all over calling him back to give him a piece of my mind....We have to get this punk arrested!!  I'd love to meet him in person...get his butt thrown in jail.

I AM HOPING THESE PEOPLE NEVER MAKE ANOTHER DIME OFF ANYONE. ONCE THE MONEY STOPS COMING IN, THEY WILL GIVE UP.  TOTAL SCAM.  PLEASE DO NOT GIVE YOUR INFORMATION OUT TO ANYONE.  DO NOT SEND THEM MONEY BY WESTERN UNION OR YOUR CREDIT CARD.

same scam -- just called me from this number and left a message claiming to be a DEA agent -- they are calling via magic jack using all kinds of area codes.  Ignore them or blast them with an air horn.  They are responsible for several suicides.

I got a call from an officer Harrington from the DEA telling me to return the phone call to this number 415-692-4047 extension 2884. I did not return the cal becasue i saw that it was a scam from the entries on this website.

RECEIVED THE SAME CALL TODAY AND WAS GIVEN A BADGE # 8493611 BY THOMAS.
I REPORTED IT TO THE REAL DEA, YOU CAN CALL 877-792-2873 AND LEAVE A RECORDED DETAILED MESSAGE.  CARRIE HAMILTON WITH THE DEA ADVISED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND ARE WORKING ON IT.

Just happened to me....same scenario.  This is a great site....so helpful!!  I'm so relieved to know I'm not alone and I acted in the correct way...which was to say "I don't take instructions or answer personal questions from a voice on a phone call"  Then he threatened DEA agents will come to my home (he knew my address) in minutes to arrest me.

I just reported the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (877.382.4357), which was a recommendation from the FBI.  And it was suggested I also contact my State Consumer Agency, esp. since I'm a senior.

It was very eye opening to see that this has been going on since June.  Why hasn't he been stopped???

If you get a call from 415 692 4047 and the person is claiming to be Officer Harrigan/DEA it is a scam.   Do not fall victim to this, hang up and immediatly report the number to the DEA Diversion Hotline @ 877-792-2873.   Remember, anyone can do a reverse look up on your phone or find information via IP addresses from online sites.   They use this kindergarten tactic to their advantage to convince someone they are real DEA agents.   Sometimes they will go as far as asking you to google the name on their computer to validate Thomas Harrigan......this is a pathetic attempt for these scum of the earth scammers to get you to believe their hook.    The US government does not operate like this, you will never receive a call from a DEA agent asking for money to be "wired" to a foriegn account or a US account for that matter.     If me posting this avoids someone being scammed, then I have served a purpose.   Please pass this information to everyone you know.......being educated against scammers like this is our only defense.

I am so thankful for this site. This person has been calling me with the same threats.  Thanks for sharing, this person is a menace and should be stopped!  Thank you!

I had this same call, same guy, same number.  He kept yelling and the more he yelled my red flags were going up.  I could not understand him.  After looking it up on the internet while I was talking to him, I knew the Thomas Harrigan in the picture from NYC, was not who I was talking too.  I took the info. to the local police chief who called the DEA in SFO and they said that this scam was all over the internet.  So, please follow your gut instincts and don't give calls like this information.  He wanted 1080.00 from me.  It kinda had me going for a minute.  Amazing what these drug people come up with for scams.

I received a message instructing me to call back at once.  I don't know who this person was, etc. but good to see that others have had similar calls

I received a very similar call from "DEA agent Thomas Harrigan" this afternoon, accusing me of illegally purchasing medication from an online Pharmacy.  He had a hispanic accent and said there was a warrant out for my arrest and rambled off a long case number for me to right down .  At first, i was really shaken up and alarmed.  He only new my maiden name and a very old address from years ago--first sign this guy was totally bogus.  He was very rude and difficult to understand due to his accent.  I told him I had no idea what he was talking about and that there must be some mistake but thanks for the heads up and I guess I better call my lawyer.  He raised his voice and said he wasn't going to play games with me and to feel free to contact my lawyer then hung up.  I called my local DEA office to report him.  The DEA Agent I spoke with laughed when I told him the name the imposter used was Thomas Harrigan--The REAL Thomas Harrigan is the Cheif of Operations for the entire DEA organization.

Just got one on friday. An officer Harrigan threaten to issue a warrant for my arrest. I told him to go ahead and he hung up. What an idiot.. a guy with the name of Harrigan with Hispanic accent

this is still happening someone should stop this now before he conviences some poor soul to send him money what a rip off ..............i just got the same phone call same guy

got this kind of call some months ago from maryland
today from san francisco so more than one organization with my number.
got the last guy to stop by saying my friend the police officer will be here at my home when we meet.
threatened that police cant stop them but i never heard from him again.
yes it is a little scary at first.

Same thing happen to me he said you are going to be arrested I told him come and get me I'm a licensed gun owner I dare you to come in person! I called the number back and asked for a supervisor he hung up on me twice.

Guy called left a message very important that I call him back-I did-he called me and told me same thing-very important that I write something down-when I laughed he said he was sending the police-I told him go right ahead and he hung up.

Same number just called and left a message for me to call officer Carrington. VA hospital. He has a heavy  Accent.. X2884 at 415-692-4047.  I looked it up on net. I  Did Not answer the call and gee here he is all over the net.  What a surprise!  I get these scams about twice a year.

I received the exact same call and was caught off guard and answered the call. He stated all of the same thing and had some personal information and was rude and screaming that they were coming to my place of work with an arrest warrant. I know this is not possible and asked him for his badge # and he hung up. There have been several messages from this caller as well as a few others prior to this as well. They should be reported and I would like to so if anyone knows how please respond to this. At first its a bit upsetting until you think through it and realize it is a bunch of bull. It is very harassing though.

Im srry i dont have it anymore if you go on the actual DEA website its on there.  They are aware of this going on

FDA NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 7, 2011

Media Inquiries: Christopher Kelly, 301-796-4676 christopher.kelly@fda.hhs.gov

Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning the public about criminals posing as FDA special agents and other law enforcement personnel as part of a continued  international extortion scam.

The criminals call the victims -- who in most cases previously purchased drugs over the Internet or via "telepharmacies" -- and identify themselves as FDA special agents or other law enforcement officials. The criminals inform the victims that purchasing drugs over the Internet or the telephone is illegal, and that law enforcement action will be pursued unless a fine or fee ranging from $100 to $250,000 is paid. Victims often also have fraudulent transactions placed against their credit cards.

The criminals always request the money be sent by wire transfer to a designated location, usually in the Dominican Republic. If victims refuse to send money, they are often threatened with a search of their property, arrest, deportation, physical harm and/or incarceration.

"Impersonating an FDA official is a violation of federal law," said Dara Corrigan, the FDA?s associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. ?FDA special agents and other law enforcement officials are not authorized to impose or collect criminal fines. Only a court can take such action.?

In most instances, victims of extortion-related calls have also received telephone solicitations for additional pharmaceutical purchases from other possibly related, illegal entities located overseas. The extortionists use customer lists complete with extensive personal information provided through previous purchase transactions. These include names, addresses, telephone numbers, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, purchase histories and credit card account numbers.

Typically, these criminals use telephone numbers that change constantly and make it appear as though their calls originate in the United States.

No known victim has been approached in person by a law enforcement impersonator associated with this scheme.  

The FDA?s Office of Criminal Investigations, with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, with the support of various U.S. Attorneys, are pursuing multiple national and international criminal investigations.

Arrests have been made and additional prosecutions are pending; however, the scheme is likely to continue. The FDA has issued similar warnings in the past:

§  FDA Warns Public of Extortion Scam by FDA Impersonators1 (11/12/2008)

§  FDA Warns Public of Continued Extortion Scam by FDA Impersonators2 (12/29/2009)

Victims of this scheme who have suffered monetary loss through the payment of funds in response to an extortion call from a person purporting to be an FDA or other law enforcement official regarding illegal pharmaceutical transactions may obtain a victim questionnaire by contacting the FDA?s Office of Criminal Investigations3 and clicking ?Report Suspected Criminal Activity.?

Anyone receiving a purported official document on agency letterhead may verify its authenticity by contacting that organization directly via a publicly available phone number. Additionally, all federal agencies use email addresses with a ?gov? email extension.

The FDA also reminds consumers that pharmaceutical products offered online and by telephone by sources of unknown origin can pose a substantial health risk. Products recovered during this investigation that were purchased from online or telephone sources have been found to contain trace amounts of heroin, other undisclosed and potentially harmful active pharmaceutical ingredients, or no active ingredient at all. Purchases should only be made from licensed pharmacies located in the United States. In addition to the increased risk of purchasing unsafe and ineffective drugs from Web sites operating outside the law, personal data may be compromised.

For more on unlawful drug sales on the Internet, see Protecting Yourself4.

Questions and Answers
How did these people obtain my information?

They likely obtained the victim?s information based on a previous online or telepharmacy transaction, or from a submitted medical questionnaire. These instances could have occurred years ago, with personal information now on customer lists trafficked by these criminal groups.  These customer lists can contain tens of thousands of names and a substantial amount of self-reported data provided by consumers during previous transactions.  Typically, victims are being contacted by multiple unrelated groups, often for different purposes. (extortion, selling illegal pharmaceuticals, etc.)

How do I make the calls stop?

The extorters, just like the majority of telephone solicitors for illegal prescription medication, are based overseas and use voice over internet protocol (VOIP) telephone numbers, most commonly ?Magic Jack?.  These services provide the extorters with the flexibility to constantly change their phone numbers and select ones with U.S. area codes.  If the victims  change whatever number(s) were used to contact them, and do not engage in any additional risky pharmaceutical transactions, the threatening phone calls and associated telephone solicitations for pharmaceuticals should cease.

What proactive steps can victims take?

Individuals who purchase medication online or via tele-pharmacies are frequently victims of credit card fraud, since this is how the medication is often purchased.  Victims may want to consider alerting their applicable financial institutions to ensure that identity theft has not occurred.

Why is FDA only asking victims who have lost money to contact the agency?The most effective way to track these criminals is to investigate the permanent record established when money transfers take place.

Have individuals been arrested?

Yes.  However, this scheme will likely not be eradicated and instead will continue to evolve.  For example, the extorters now occasionally reference other countries, such as Costa Rica, instead of the DR, as means to avoid all of the publicity regarding this scheme.

Am I going to be able to get my money back?

In almost all instances victims will not be able to recoup losses.  Multiple criminal groups employ this scheme, principally from overseas, and large monetary seizures are not anticipated.

Am I in danger?

In terms of physical danger, no victim has ever been approached in person, and the vast majority of these callers, regardless of their intent, are based overseas.  Their use of ?police-type scanners?, law enforcement language and fictitious documents are attempts at a false sense of legitimacy. Extorters also occasionally reference cars parked on a victim?s street -- information that can be obtained online at various Web sites, as a way to frighten individuals into believing the extorters are near their residence.  If an individual feels threatened for his or her personal safety, immediately contact the appropriate local enforcement agency.

Is it possible that these callers are part of some ?secret? investigative group, and FDA is just not aware of it?

No.  Law enforcement officials from both the U.S. and the Dominican Republic are pursuing these criminals.   More information regarding this scheme is available on FDA and DEA Web sites, or through online searches.  Extradition proceedings  between countries require close cooperation and often a formal treaty, and this often takes an extended period of time to complete.

http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm239309.htm

got a call from this guy yesterday saying he was with the dea,  said i bought pills online and that he had a warrant for my arrest.  he asked if i wanted to make a statement and i told him he needs to speak w/ my attorney.  he said it would be in my best interest to answer his questions and cooperate.  i again told him to speak w/ my attorney.  he said fine and said "see you in court"  and hung up.  like many, he had me a bit shaken up at first.  glad there is this website to spread the word about these con-artists.

Just happened to me,  41 and savvy or at least i thought, he really had me shook up, who can i call to report, it worries me as im quite certain he had no problem making a living from this s***

Hope someone shuts this a*hole down quick.  I can see where he could get less savvy people to pay up. B*****d.

Hey Kristen!
Please post the DEA # you called to report this A**, maybe if we all call to report him it will help.
Take care!